Penobscot Theatre Company Appoints John Hedges As New Executive Director

Penobscot Theatre Company's board of directors is pleased to announce the hiring of a new executive director, John Hedges of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Hedges will work in partnership with Producing Artistic Director Bari Newport to drive the organization's continued growth. He will be chiefly responsible for the design and implementation of all fundraising and development activities, marketing and communications initiatives, audience cultivation and community outreach, financial planning, and stewardship of the company's real estate and other assets.

Hedges served most recently as managing director of Civic Theatre of Allentown and as executive director of Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre in Carmel, Indiana. Previously, over seven years at the helm of Weathervane Playhouse in Akron, Ohio, he accomplished a 24% increase in the audience base, a 57% increase in individual contributions, a 30% increase in total revenue, and a $1.1 million capital campaign. A member of Actors' Equity Association (AEA), Hedges spent more than a decade performing at regional theatres nationwide. During this chapter of his career, he served as an outside business representative for AEA in New York and was a company member for ten seasons at the prestigious Barter Theatre in Virginia. Hedges holds a BS in Speech Communications from Indiana State University and a MFA in Theatre Arts from Stafford University.

"I'm honored to have been chosen as the next executive director of Penobscot Theatre Company," said Hedges. "The growth of the theatre over the last few years fueled by its dynamic artistic programming combined with exemplary board and staff leadership makes this a very exciting opportunity for me. I look forward to contributing to an organization that is clearly on the leading edge of what makes Bangor a great place to live, work and raise a family."

In early February, the company's board of directors launched a nationwide search to replace Mary Budd, who is transitioning in June to a management role at Starboard Leadership Consulting in Bangor. "The opportunity attracted a number of outstanding candidates," said Board President Jocelyn Cogen, "but John emerged as our number-one choice, offering the energy and expertise to advance the company's mission in service to our community."

Hedges will assume his new role on May 14, 2018.